Adjustable blind awning



hay?? 22% 41946u v l H. JOHNSON I 2,404,178

ADJUSTABLE 'BLIND AWNING Filed June 2l, 1944 2 Sheelts-Sheet 1 FZ .i /0 //l 'Z0 :l V- 11:1 L..v

INVENTOR. Haro d l. 'rfb/neon July 16, 1946. H. L. JOHNSON 2,404,178

' ADJUSTABLEBLIND AwNING l Filed June 21, v1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. y ffafod Z. rfb/030m WKZ/.

Patented July 16, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENTk orticav Harold L. Johnson, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 21, 1944, Serial No. 541,392

This invention relates to an adjustable Venetian blind typeof awning devised for outside use ad-l jacent Windows, porch openings, or similar locations. The awning embodies the use of a plurality of slats all pivotally supported in predetermined sequence, arranged to pivot upon their long axes, and the slats are connected for simultaneous angular adjustment producing a variation in the respective spaces between adjacent slats and also angular variations with respect to their supporting frame.

It is, therefore, one of the mainrobjects of the present invention to provide an adjustable awning having a plurality of slats disposed in predetermined relation with respect to each other and individually pivotally mounted upon parallel axes. Such an awning permits the passage of air for ventilation through the respective spaces between the slats and provides adjustable means connected with the slats to permit regulation thereof as to the entry of light into a window or space over which the awning is supported for the purpose of controlling light entry into a room under changing light conditions to suit the individual taste of the user.

With a conventional type of canvas awning thereis no provision whatever for the purpose of ventilation aside from the regular iiow of air which is not entirely blocked by the awning. Nor

16 Claims. (Cl. 2li-57.5)

cent windows the convenience and accessibility of doingsuch a thing has always presented a problem particularly when such blinds or awnings y were being attached to upper story windows.

Therefore, as to the ease of handling and attachment from the outside of a building of'a conventional type of awning the safety factor considera.-

tion has always been objectionable to the ordinary home owner. l

The present type of awning has been so constructed that the supports and theV entire framework thereof for carrying the individual slats is completely disassembled and may be secured to the exterior of a window frame from the interior of such window. This, therefore, presentsa notable advantage in an awning of this type, not only as to handling at the home or point of application, but also making possiblethe shipment of a complete awning of rthis nature in a very small package wherein all of the individual parts may be crated orrpacked for shipment. By the same token, the home owner or user of such an awn-` ing can easily disassemble such an awning in the fall of thev year and store it in a very small space over the winter. Theruser can retain the carton or crate in which the awning was shipped and may store the awning parts in such carton when disassembled necessitating only a relatively small storage space' for this purpose.

does the regular type of awning have 'any particu- 30 'The slats of the present awning are preferably lar feasible means for adjusting the same to 'meet varying light conditions. When a conventional type of awning is down and the day is cloudy with bright sunshine at intervals, such awning will either make the room 'too dark at the cloudy in- 35 tervals or if the same is raised it in ineiective in shielding the room against becoming too bright during the sunshine intervals. The awning of this invention can be easily and conveniently regulated to meet such varying light conditions as 40 will be self-evident from the description and dis',- closure to follow.

'A further feature of the present awning resides in the structural provision that when the blind slats are substantially in full closed position small spaces remain between the respective slats through which a person is capable of viewing the outside as contrasted with a solid canvas awning that entirely shuts oi such a view. Furthermore,

when the relatively thin slats are regulated to be 5 disposed approximately in horizontal planes they present a substantially free view with little interference to the sight of a person or persons within the room protected by such a blind.

' disposed in overlapping relationship. The object for this arrangement has been to produce better reflecting surfaces between adjacent slats and also for the purpose'of having the slats deilect rain under normal conditions. If the severity o the rainstorm is not too great the rain too rheavily windborne it is possible to maintain the upper window sash opened for ventilation while the slats of the awning are in their down position disposing such `slats in a manner for the rain to merely cascade therefrom, from one to the other ofthe slats and finally oi of the end of the awning protecting the window opening from rain entry. This presents a desirable advantage in the present awning as the latter permits a certain amount of ventilation on rainy dayswhen the humidity is extremely high and circulation of air within a. home is necessary and welcome.

There are other features and yadvantages in- Y In attaching exterior blinds or awnings adjay easily be disassembled for cleaning. and painting for cleaning or painting. Furthermore, the awn- I ing may be painted tosuit the general trim of a building or in contrast therewith depending upon I In this connection it the desired color scheme. may be stated that this awning can be constructed of practically any suitable material that is feasible for this particular'use although `the same y has been preferably constructed of comparatively in` expensive wood.

It is a further advantage to able to manu- ,i Y

' otherwise Isecured to the flat face ends I6 of the facture the separate pieces that go into the pro- I duction of awnings of this type 'with'compara-` tively few stock sizes to take care of Vvagreat many Y widths of windows. There is no objection in having the awning extend to eitherside `ofthe-win dow, in fact, such overlapping of theY window;V

frame is desirable in producing an awning which is more capableof intercepting angular klight as well asU providing'rain'protection as' beforere"= V All etnerebiectsland advantages relating to the adjustablefblndtype of `'awning herein disclosed and described shallhereinafter appear in the follo'w'ing detaileddscription specifically fragmentary portion of the 'awning'. substantially as' viewedalongtheline 3 3 in Fig. l;

, Fig. a broken perspective View of the' aWning structure showing the framework thereof in assembledrelation;"with only one adjustable sl'at lillustrated in its normal relation to the supporting framework; L ig. 5 is a'pe'rspe'ctive' view offene Slat as seen Fig. 6 is a rear edge Viewof oneof the slat's'to y'show certain details of construction;`

. Fig. Z is an 'enlarged' cross sectional throughfone of the slat sections as .viewed substantially along lthe lineY '1 -I in Fig. '4j

Fig. 8 is afsectional view/"through a carton showing a disassembled' awning with all'ofth parts thereof disposed withinsaidlcarton and cratedfor shipping purposes; and' I Fig. 9 isa fragmentary vi'vifOf the'operatng member for shifting the angularities of`theref spective slats simultaneously while the awning is supported and inuse. y "f y The construction of the awning may'best be understood'by'r'eferring to Fig. V4'."`The'.support.'- ing framework comprises twoor more 4'arms such as 19,' II Yand 'I2A provided with vsuitably 'drilled view f arms. A pair'of braces I'I and I8 have drilled Y ends for fitting over and being slidably connected with therrod I4.

The framework of the awning is secured to a Window sash by securing hooks 20 to the sash as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and by hooking rod I3 over the same for the purpose of supporting the framework. -The braces VII` and I8 are also vertically-drilled as at 2l Vfor hooking upon L- hooks 22 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

It is to be noted that the upper ends ofthe arms are shaped in a specific manner to permit the installation of the framework and also to maintain the same against dislodgement after the same has been installed. This is accomplished by providing predetermined clearance between hooks y2l) and the upper edge 23 of the top of the window sash as indicated in Fig. 3, the arms being constructed with a at end surface 24 located acertain distance from the openings in the arms y for receiving the V`1. 1p) oerrod AI3 and by. providing a relatively sharp corner at the outer edgeof the arm; p t

The" awning is installedby placing 'therthree arms Ii), YIl and I2V upon the'rods I3 and ifi to'- gether with braces I'Iand I8 'on rod I4 and guide ing this unit" through the upper" lowered sash opening of'ar window tosupport'the same invertical position upon'thev hooks 2i); The awning rod I3 is passed over the top'outer end of thehooks whilethe arms' I0; `I I 'and I2 are maintained substantially in verticalposition.' This permits sufficient clearance between' the outer end 26 of the hook Zil'and the surface of the upper wall 23 `of thewindow sash'to allowthe rod I3 to clear Then by swinging the the end ofthe hook' 2S. arms outwardly. and placing the apertured'ends ofthe braces lIIfandl i3 over theL-l'looks 22, the Vhigh pointsZE ofthe arms It,l II and I2'are brought intoZ verticaljalignment abovethe rod I3. Sincethe distance from the top of the'point 25 to the rod I3 is greater' .than the distance from rod 'I3 to the flate'nd 24'it 'is impossible 'for the lawlfl ing tobecome dislodged under wind actionV or through, other'accidental lifting' inasmuch as rod I3 cannot now clear the' ends 25 of the' hooks 2li.V Thus, the awning isl locked 'in place with the simple window connections provided therefor.

" With the bracesl'l and I3 located kwithin the confines of the outer' arms Ill and I2 as' illustrated in Fig. 4, itis possible tohave the par'- ticular size of awning'illustratedv t a'number Yof window'sizes lessthan the distance between the outer arms by cutting the' rods to suit. However, should the window frame size be greater or rod Iii only if desired; which will extend out- 'holes'at their ends for the reception'of 'connecting .if

'rodsll andY I'lIL Such'rods maybe madev ofthe commonsteel type ofQ/ curtain l'rods used'in the interior of the home may be cut to length vt o suit the particular installation. A` decorative ltjtnefiengtn efftne siate Vte be supported upon the vfr an'lework is used for spacing the armsl, I I 'and I2 fin a predetermined spaced relation with 'the two Aouter'arms Ifa'nd I2' held in proper spaced'.'lzositidns 'to'fit asas'h openingin abrck Wall bi" the like." The ap'in ll5A is screwed O1' 'jsuch `as -I5 of a lengthrsubstantially' equal Wardly from 'the sidearms'l and I2 as indicated in dotted 'lines inFig.' 4, in Which-case the' arms Il and I8 maybe placed' outwardly .from the two outer arms I6) and I2 permitting the useof the Y same size awning in connection with window widths of greater size than could bei accommodated'with the braces between the arms liland I2. 'This' of course must take place 'within prac'- tical limitations;

It has'been found from practice thatQro'ds I3 land I4 need no-tV be secured to tloearms Il),v` I Il and I2 yand preferably the holesbored into these arms mayfbe'of a tight tto Vhold 'the rods in place relative to the arms.` Furthermore, theup; per rod I3 is normally confined/within the laterally Spa'ced sides of, the: windowopeningvas illustrated irrFig.v 2 and 'therefore cannot move laterally with respect to the supportingqarms if said rod is made to fit such opening. The outer rod or. lower rod I4 is further held in place by thertwo braces'I'I and I8 which are also frictionally carried upon the same and it is highly improbable that this rod will move laterallywith respect to the framework. Such rods, however, maybe secured by suitablemeans if desired, de-

pending upon thefmaterials used and the requirements of `the installation.

A plurality of Vslats 30 are supported upon the arms I0, II and I2, to complete the awning assembly and to 'provide the adjustable means whereby the user can shut y,out or permit the entry ofl exterior lighi-l to' suit the individual taste. These slats 30 may be constructed of any suitable material. Ihe preferred formvutilizes ordinary drop siding which has been found very satisfactory as well as being of low cost in the fabrication of such awnings;

Each of the slats'30 is provided with 'a plurality of slots 3| equal in number to the number of arms used in the framework, and cross wires 32 are suitably secured to the slats to span each of the slots 3I in a predetermined position. rIhe arms I0, II and I2 have been notched as at 33 for the reception of the wires 32 for each of the individual slats. The wires 32 of each slat are aligned and parallel to thelongitudinal dimension of the slats while each of the notches 33 in the arms are also positioned in definite spaced relation with respect to each adjacent .notch as well as being in predetermined aligned krelation with respect to the length of the awning whereby all ci the respective slatsv are pivotally supported as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Likewise, as illustrated in Fig. 2 it is to be noted'that the spacing of the slots 33 .is such that the slats are all overlapping as shown in Fig. 2` vto produce the rain shielding relationship and a` better light shielding arrangement. Y

The framework when connected with the sus-r pending hooks 20 and while still hanging in vertical position 'against the window provides a rack uponl which -the individual slats may be connected from the interior of the Window by the person installing `the same. Each slat `is individually handled and pushed through the window,vmoved into horizontal alignment with one of the aligned sets ofnotches 33 and dropped into place with the pivotal wires 32 nesting within such notches 33 of the arms.

As illustrated in Figs. -3 and 5, oneof the wires 32 isextended to form a leg or depending arm 34 and is conveniently bent back upon itself to provide a pivotal portion 35 coincident with an axis parallel to the axes of the wires 32, and the end of this wire is bent as at 36 toform a retaining hook. All of these legs or arms 34 Yextend downwardly and are adapted to be connected'by an actuating` link or rod 31 having a plurality'of loops 33 located at spaced intervals equidistant and coincident with the plurality of` depending arms34 connected with the yrespective slats 30. Whenall of the slats have been suspended in their locationsnpon the frameworkof the awn-v ing, the actuator loops 38 are dropped over the ends-of the hooks 3E and rotated 90 degrees to position the actuator link with the loops 38 thereof in acommon vertical plane as best seen in Figs. 3 and 6, This substantially completes the assembly of the awning which has all been acyof the armsIO to I2.

moving the'two braces II and I8 outwardly, to swing the. awning structure upon the upper'rod I3' as a pivotal means and then dropping the.

cord hook 4I, see Fig. 2, placed at an accessiblev By pulling A point for the use of an operator. cord 40, the actuating link 3'I is moved relatively to the stationary frame arms III, II and I2, the

' link transmitting such motion to the other pivotal partsV 35 of the arms 34 of each ofthe slats 30 whereby each slat is pivotally actuated .to

cause all of the slats to move in synchronism upon their pivotal supporting wires 32 with respect to the'stationary arms I0, II and I2. The slats can be moved through a, relatively wide angular range and in Fig. 3 slats 30 have been shown in full lines in one of the angularly adjus/ted positions and indotted lines in a relatively wide. open position. Cord 40 also acts to hold the actuator 38 inplace upon the respective pivotal parts 35 as best shown in Fig. 6.

Obviously, various light reflections may be obtained directly from the'slats per Se by providing an adjustment whereby direct light may be admitted at certain angular positions to be reilected by the slats individually. 'I'he slats can also be adjusted to admit light directly between the slats. f

In thisccnnectionit may be said that the slats could also be made of a transparent nature depending solely upon the light reflecting properties thereof orelse they may be made with onev surface dull and the other surface shiny or in` anycombination thereof to produce certain'light reilecting-qualities that may be used to enhance an awning of this type to increase the utility thereofv under a wide range of conditions and per- Y sonal requirements. I

Referring back to Figs. 4 and 7, it is to be noted that each slat is prevented from endwiseshifting by means of the slots 3| which straddle the sides of the arms I0, II and I2. 'Also, as shown in Fig.

7, the bottoms 42 of the Slots 3I canbe variedas to angularity and shape to produce certain del-l nite positions at which the respective slats may be maintained indenite angular relations with respect to the supporting arms I0, II and I2. Fig.7 shows the bottom or inner surfaces 42 of the slots 3 I- as made to rest upon the upper faces 43 of each Furthermore, the angularity of the notches 33 are preferably made to incline either to one direction or the other of a vertical plane to` subject the wire mountings 32 of each of the slats 30 to frictional resistance in the eventV that wind will tend to lift the slatsl off of the arms. Ordinarily it is the connector or actuating, link 31 which together with the cord 40 maintains all of the slats in their nested pivotal relations with respect to thesupporting arms I0,

I I anclIZ. Furthermore, the slats are all rela` complished with the awning frame hanging ver tically outside of the windowk andl within easy` reahfrqm .theinteronof the roomY By finally tively flexible and can stand considerable abuse, practice having proven that the same maybe together 'at the point of contact of such object and straightening out again after being subjected to such; shock.

Attentionis also directed to the' fact that l overhanging weightor centerrofmass' offeach-of..

'l the .'individual'.I slats, is located outwardlyd from;

` their pivotall'axesrandztoward the freeouter ends of each of; the slats.

` slatsY are in fraisediposition:asshownindottedi This holds true when.` thev lines in Fig.. gand. such.- overhangingr weight of l each ofitheindividual slats taken.collectivelyfacts v toi. always rotate-: the .entire groupiintottheir: low.-

eredlpositions .approximately asindicated.' inzEig.. l 2 so thatit isunnecessary'to provide springs l or other; returnY means 1 for moving.l theslatsA into'. j theirzrinitial.closedorzdownwardlyfoverlappingzree l lationshipishown; Therefore,l the cord Mlfis` for i moving the slats through v.the actuating links Q intoV certain.; angular. raised. positions...andbyty ingthe` cord in thev particular position desired; i such.. slatsarelneld` asy regulated until the; cord;

is; again.. released whereupon the; slatstrag'aim of theactuating;` 1ink3l or. any-actuating mem- .I ber which may beused as. equivalent mechanism for rocking the slatsupon their rpivotalsupports Such a memberr lmayfbe locatedadjacent any* one i ofthearms IB, ll and; I2. Inthe three: armrv constructiony in Fig. 4, it is; preferableto locate the` actuator 3.1 and thev arms 34fat thepcenter of :the`

` 4() p ever,v in awningswhereinj only two arms such asl f I@ lor Il are used, itis possible toi locate the ac'- tuator adjacent the inner face:` ofpeither:- one.l

awning toobtainv best mechanicalresults.. How-- This is merely a matter of appearanceiralthough thev actuatorA may be located outwardly withv re' specti to either'one' ofi thesev armsas well.`A Itis *alsoI conceivable to yuse moreLthan oneactuating..

linkin awnings'of greater width or of. heavier' aimants.;

materials which willi. produce bettermechanical` l design.;

Referring now to Fig; 8; a simple` carton' s u'ch as mayfbe used for crating or vpacking the disassembled awning parts;v the carton. being: of a length -to accommodate the apronl, and the re-v spective slats 3i). which determine the overall length thereof.l Furthermore, the tapered slats can allbe nested' substantially asshown-inflig.; 8`

with the wirearms Ialternately nested at the opposite. sides; of the cartonA as illustrated. The other pieces including the arms,v the bracesandl the rods lcan be neatly nested as shown or-in any` other desired manner, the spaces' of suchcarton being filled with packing material' producing :av very convenient way to ship an awningthat is ofy considerable size when the same iis assembledand in use. This same carton may be vused in storing the awning inthe winter if thatv is desireol'by` the user.r

vAs shown in Fig'.

1, the particular awning' 1atV erallyV overlaps the windowv sash edges consider-` ably which is an asset` by providing additional Si protection. However, this excesswidthiof awning is of use for additional width. of windows; By providing longer rods such as I4 and'fpla'cing-jtl1efv braces l1 and;7 I8- outwardly of the armsas-previ-l ouslyf explainedlthez larger;` sizes. of windows.; can. be covered. liurthennore, ther same.. awning. can also :be yusedin connection with a number. of windows: off smaller, sizev .than that shown. inV Fig. 5 1.- :Thisi description. has .been directed. to apre.-r Aferred'embodiment ofi a Venetian blindgtype. of awningsa's showmin-.thedisclosures stood. that; certain: changes: and; variations may It is underbe made -rin the presentyawningf construction which may involve the introduction ofequivalentv mechanisms; for: carrying, out. they principles of 1 operation. and; purposes;- of-the awning as d.ex-. signed.. Therefore, the invention; is not to be" limitedtothe exact disclosure, design, construction;.or 'theicombination vof.parts herein presentedv excepting'insoiar-asthesameshall be limited by' the: breadthA andscopeof thev appended claims.

I .claimt f A 1;. InK an' awnings-,the combination of any open.;

supporting framework adapted for4 connection. with. a..building.; slats extending; across said', open framework. cooperative means: carriedy by saidr frameworkgandteach. of said slats. respectively-to pivotallyfmount the VAlatter uponsaid open framework comprising. notchesin said frameworkand wires; connected: with; said slats and disposed to. rockwithin: said' notches-pand'. actuating.. means connected. with .said-y slats'tto` movethesamerelative: to; th'e.. framework .to;.adjust;.the; angular. rela:- tionship ofqsaidl sla-ts withrespectj to, said framework;

2.1m an awning, thecombinationzof. aV set of supporting 4: frame members; a: set'. of. slat mem-- bers. extending' across. said; vframe members, co.-

operative: means. carried by said frame.. members; and'v the.v slat members` respectively tofpivotally.: mount-the. latterjuponsaid frame; members comprisingi notches a.. positioned along. like edges. of said framamembers.andpivotal means connected with thesefslat membersv andi positioned toprock within said notches, and actuatingy mechanism connected'with' one, of the: sets of' members for changing the-:angular` relationship of: the. slat members; relative to: saidi frame; members...l i

3.. Iny anV awning, the= combinationr 'ofv an' open supporting framework having. a plurality Yof aligned*I notches. in. certain members". thereof; 'a

plurality vof'slatsgextending substantially parallel'v across 5 the face of s aidi open framework; aligned?.

-pivotal' means, carried vby 'said' slats:v and operable 1nV the: bottoms of said aligned notchesl in said framework for pivotally connecting saidy slats' with said: framework tofrock aboutzaxes parallel to the `lengthsio'f-the slats, said framework notchesA being so spacedas tocausefadjacent slats to overlap: when, disposed in:A certain angular: positions with respect to saidsupporting` framework, and actuatingmechanism connected With-'saidsl'ats to rockA thetsameupontheir. individual axes to therebychangey th'e` angular relationship of saidv slats with'respect tosaid open supporting framework. Li. Inaniawnin'gythe lcombination of a plurality ofv slats;` af. supporting: frame fory said'- slats, said frame comprising perallel rods, two or more arms slidaloly;- carried upon" said rods, and connectingA means detachably.r fastened to-said armsto holdU the .same inpredetermined lateral spaced relationupon" saidEV rods; said'' arms beingY notched along their lengths with the notches of each' arm aligned withfthe notches of theadjacen't armor arms,

and alignedlpivotal members carried' by each ofV said slats for engagement-witllin aligned notches invsaidarms tp'rockably'support said slats relatively tosai. arms.' v

r 15; In ari-awning@ tir ombinatin-of avpmmtty- 9 y of slats, a supporting frame for 'fsaidslats said frame comprising parallel rods, twoy ormorearms slidably carried upon saidarms'andconnecting adjustably changing th'e vangular relations of all of said slats with respect to said frame. 2';

6. 'An awning comprising a. plurality ,ofslat each slat having aligned pivotal. membersA connected therewith, a` frame for supporting said slats including two or more arms, said arms having aligned notches therein for the reception of the aligned pivotal members of said slats,'said notches of each' arm being substantially parallel and disposed in a predetermined angular relation with respect to the surface of said .arms to frictionally counteract displacement of the pivotal members of the slats from within said notches, and actuating mechanism connected with each of said slats to rock the same simultaneously upon their respective pivotal members within said notches.

'7. An awning comprising a plurality of slats, each slat having aligned pivotalmembers attached thereto, a frame for supporting said slats having arms, said arms each having aligned notches along one edge thereof for the reception of said slat pivotal members therein, said notches in each slat being substantially parallel and disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the adjacent edge of said arms to frictionally oppose displacement of said pivotal members from within said notches, said slats each having legs extending therefrom, and actuating mechanism'extending across said slats and connected with each of said slat legs to rock the slats upon their respective pivotal members, said mechanism including means to collectively retain said slats in operative pivotal vrelation Within said arm notches.

8. A supporting frame for an awning adapted to be hung from hook members secured a predetermined distance below the upper edge of a building Wall aperture, comprising an open frame having a plurality of arms, a rod extending between said arms and adapted for engaging said hook members, the ends of said arms adjacent said rod having two contiguous surfaces disposed at different normal distances from the axis of said rod, one of said surfaces providing clearance to permit hooking the rod upon said hook members when the frame arms are disposed in one position with respect to the building wall, the other of said surfaces providing abutment means to counteract unhooking of said rod from said hook members when said arms are disposed in another position relative to said building wall.

9. A supporting frame for an awning adapted to be hung from hook members secured a predetermined distance below the upper edge of a building Wall aperture, comprising an open frame having a plurality of arms, rods connecting said arms, one of said rods being disposed along the ends of said arms and adapted tobe hooked over the hook members to hang the supporting frame therefrom, the end surfaces of saidarms adjacent said one rod each being spaced from said rod and providing clearance for hooking said one rod over the hook members when said varms are disposed substantiallyparallel to Athe Abuilding wall,and certain corresponding corners of each v10. A supporting frame for termined distance below the. `upper fedgeyofj-Za building wall aperture, comprising an' open frame having a plurality ofvarms, vrods connecting said i arms;A one of said rods being disposed alongi the ends' of saidr arms and adapted-tobe hooked over the hookA members to hang the supporting frame therefrom; the end surfacesofcsaid arms adjacent said one rod each having one portion spaced from the rod to provide clearance for hooking said one rod over the hook members when said arms are disposed substantially parallel to the building wall, and said arm ends having certain corners adjacent said one rod providing abutment means to prevent unhooking of said one rod from the hook members when said arms are positioned angularly withY respect to the building wall, and brace members connected with said open frame and detachably connected with the building wall to maintain said framexarms in the aforesaid angular position to hold said open frame in locked position upon said hook members.

11. An awning slat for connection with a support, said support comprising a frame including arms having notches therein, said slats comprising a generally fiat member having slots along one edge thereof to straddie the edges of said arms, crosswires bridging said slots and adapted 4for nested engagement Within said arm notches,

and lever means connected with said flat members and adapted to rock the same upon the axes of the cross wires Within said notches to change the angular relation of said flat member with respect to the frame arms, the side faces of said slots coacting with the external faces of said arms respectively to oppose endwise displacement of the associated slat member as the latter is rocked. l

12. An awning comprising a frame having supporting arms, a plurality of overlapping slats pivotally connected with said arms, operative means connected with said slats and adapted for adjusting the angular relationship of the slats with respect to` said arms, retaining means for holding said slats as adjusted, and abutment means on said slats for direct engagement with said supporting arms to normally maintain the slats apart but in overlapping inoperative position upon release of said operative means.

13. In an awning, a frame, a plurality of slats supported upon said frame and disposed in parallel overlapping relation with respect to each other when occupying a position substantially adjacent the general plane of therframe, said slats each being pivotally connected with said frame on axes offset with respect to the center of mass of said slats whereby the latter arenormally maintained in said overlapping closed position upon said frame, abutment means carried by each slat to directly contact said frame to independently hold the slats in predetermined spaced relation with respect to each other when closed, and operative means connected with each of said slats to simultaneously move the same into any one of a an fawn-ing Vadapted Y v"gto behung rrom'hook members secured ajprede- *fplurality df l angulaifly adjusted .positions with-fre c'olleotve'slati'portions voffsety withirespectto their '.in'divi'dual pivotalA mountings'. fifi.' In fan -awning, fa plurality :of islats; pivotal 'members :connected 4With 'said lslats, ta iframe to .'supportthe'slats having .atil'east two arms,-said v-a'rms having ynotches '.therein'ifor the reception Lof "the{pivot-alA members 'of :said rvsl'ats, andf'said varm notches being disposed in predeterminedfangular- '-positions'with `respect tothe. sufacesfof the larms *carrying such `notches` to v'frictionally vcounteract displacementiof'said pivotal members o'fthe vslatsV from `Within Isaid'znotches. -Y

L `?.115.'1nfan,awning, .the -l combination fof .a -fplu-l r`alityof. indepenientuitary. slats anda supporting iframev for :said fslats, said` framev :comprising .-said-'Lamls havingnnotohesalongftheir lengths, tand :ipivotalimembersconnectedwith said slats'ior enz-'gagement'zwitlfnthe arm;.notehes to releasably `land@r position '.theislats i upon *,s'aidzsupporting -frame fortzrockable movement irelatively tosaid "frame I `116.111. 4an awning, 'thef combination :of a plu-y :irality:ofdndepen'denti slat units 'and .ai supporting ".'frame therefor, said? 'frame l'iaving 'spaced rods, 'arms z-slidablycarri'ed upon'f said Arnds and extendzi'ngithe'rebetweem said iarmsrhavingmotches along theirlegthg and'said slat .units havin?,r 'pivotal members fforfnesting 'within t'he arm; notches to 

